Sri Pada season begins on December 27
The annual Sri Pada season for the year 2012/13, will begin on
December 27.It will commence after the traditional procession carrying
the statue of God Saman and the casket of Sacred Relics depart from the
Sri Pada Raja Maha Vihara, Pelmadulla, Gallpothawela to the Sripada
shrine.This will be carried according to ancient traditions in the
morning to herald the event,said Basnayake Nilame of the Ratnapura Saman
Devala, Sunil Shantha Weerasekera.
According to the Chief Trustee of the Raja Maha Vihare, Ven.
Bengamuwe Dammmadinna Thera, the route now taken by devotees is the
traditional path taken by kings during ancient times. From the Ratnapura
Palabaddera Raja Mawatha, the route cuts across the jungles to reach the
sacred Undamaluwa, which pilgrims reach at dawn on Unduwap Poya day, the
Basnayake Nilame said.
The perahera, starting as a motorcade, will wind its way up to
Nallatanniya Buddhist Centre via Lellopitiya, Ratnapura, Kuruwita,
Parakaduwa, Eheliyagoda, Getahetta, Avissawella, Dehiowita, Yatiyantota,
Ginigathena, Watawala and Maskeliya. Thereafter,the perahera will
proceed to the Sripada shrine.
He said that another procession consisting mainly of Buddhist and
Hindu pilgrims and also those from the Muslim community travel along the
Hatton Nallathanniya road to reach the sacred Udamaluwa.
The statues will then be carried by bhikkhus led by Chief Incumbent
of Sri Pada, Ven. Bengamuwe Dammmadinna Thera up to the Maluwa of Sri
Pada where the statues and the relics will be placed.
The Sri Pada Festival will commence at midnight to the accompaniment
of beating drums and pirith chanting by the Chief Incumbent and bhikkhus.
According to the Basnayake Nilame thousands of devotees, mainly
Buddhists make their annual pilgrimage to the sacred mountain abode
during the annual season which ends in April 2013.
The Sri Pada summit has been sanctified by the visit of the Buddha
along with 500 Arhats.
The rituals including the washing of the foot print were performed
before the pilgrimage season started.
Rohana Jayalal |
